The prevalence and distribution of xerophthalmia in pre-school age children of the luapula valley, zambia

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Periodical article

Title:	The prevalence and distribution of xerophthalmia in pre-school age children of the luapula valley, zambia
Authors:	Sukwa, T. Mwandu, D. Kapui, A.
Year:	1988
Periodical:	Journal of Tropical Pediatrics
Volume:	34
Issue:	1
Pages:	12-15
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Zambia
Subject:	blindness
External link:	http://tropej.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/34/1/12
Abstract:	In August, 1985, four thousand two hundred and seventy-five children aged less than 6 years were examined for signs of xerophthalmia (associated with vitamin A deficiency) in a population based cross-sectional study in the Luapula Valley of Zambia. The overall prevalence of xerophthalmia was 1.89 percent. The prevalence of nightblindness (XN), Bitot's spots (X1B), severe corneal lesions (X3A, X3B), and corneal scars (XS) were 1.26, 0.44, 0.02, and 0.68 percent, respectively. One child was totally blind and four children had unilateral blindness. Comparison is made with data from other parts of Africa. It is concluded that xerophthalmia is a public health problem in this valley and a major cause of blindness in childhood. Ref.